Page 27 of The Wayward Son

“How’re you doing, slugger?”

“I feel like shit.”

“That may be. But you made quite an impression. My phone has been ringing all morning. Sponsors, reporters. There are even two promoters interested in you.”

Sawyer shook his head. “I can’t even think about that right now.”

“You’ve got to strike while the iron is hot, kid.”

“I need a few weeks, Keith. I’m going home.”

Keith didn’t seem too happy about Sawyer’s apparent lack of enthusiasm. If Sawyer went pro and began earning some money,Keith would get a cut of that. His own success was tied to Sawyer’s.

“Don’t take too long.”

“I’ll keep in touch and be back by the end of the month.”

Keith nodded. “Okay, kid. I’ll work things from this end.”

Sawyer still hadn’t committed to going pro. And after last night, he was even more inclined not to. As he told Jade, he boxed for fun. Last night wasn’t fun. Last night was about surviving. He had no doubt physically and mentally he could do it. He just wasn’t sure he wanted to.

Keith studied Sawyer as though he could read what was going through his head. “The time has come to make up your mind.”

Sawyer nodded. “Give me until the end of the month.”

“Okay.” He sighed. “I left your truck in the parking lot. Your clothes and stuff are in your bag out in the living room.” He gave Sawyer a small smile. “You look better than you did last night. You always bounce right back.”

“I’ll keep in touch, Keith.”

“See you kid.”

He left the room then, and Sawyer heard him say a few things to Jade and then leave. A few moments later, Jade came into the bedroom.

“I don’t like that guy.”

“He’s an acquired taste.”

“He’s pushy. And he’s rude. And he doesn’t seem to really care about you beyond how much money he might make off of you if you go pro.”

“He does give off that vibe. But he’s a boxing manager. It’s kind of par for the course.”

“Well, it seems to me he should care about his boxer. I assume boxers have a pretty short career and taking care of you should be his first priority.”

Sawyer shrugged. “He brought me home last night.”

“He should’ve taken you to the hospital.”

“He knew I didn’t want to go.”

Jade took a deep breath. “I don’t want to fight about Keith.”

“Are we fighting?”

She laughed. “No. I guess not. Time for you to eat. What can I make you?”

He thought about it for a moment. “Tomato soup with some crackers in it.” He smiled at her. “Not the way you put crackers in your soup. A reasonable amount of crackers.”

“Okay. Something to drink?”

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